It's the time of year to start pruning deciduous fruit trees and ornamental trees and shrubs, so make sure you have the proper pruning tools to do a good job.  Tools for pruning range from small hand shears for use on ornamentals and hedges to large pruning saws for use on tree branches.

Hand Pruners:  Curved bypass pruners give the cleanest cut.  Make sure they have a sturdy frame, a spiral-type spring between the handles, replaceable blades and a nonslip grip.  Reputable manufacturers can always supply replacement parts if needed.  When pruning a branch, hold the pruners so that the upper blade is toward the part of the branch that remains on the plant.  This way, any damage that might occur will be on the pruned branch instead of the one left on the plant.  Anvil pruners have a cutting blade that is pushed against a metal sole, or anvil.  These tend to cost less than bypass pruners and are less likely to twist when cutting larger branches, but they crush wood as they cut and leave a stub.  For this reason, I prefer bypass pruners. 

Loppers:  These long-handled tools are used for cutting branches too large or too tough for hand pruners, but not large enough for a saw.  Avoid using an anvil model except for cutting dead wood and buy bypass-type loppers instead. 

Pruning Saws:  Use a bow saw for heavy-duty cutting of large tree branches.  The teeth on these saws cut on both the push and pull strokes, and the handle allows good clearance.  A regular pruning saw is good for cutting branches 1-3" in diameter and the teeth cut on the pull stroke.  Pole pruners are those that can reach up high into a tree, freeing you from having to climb on a ladder, but are useful only on branches about an inch or so thick.  Some come in one piece while others have poles of interlocking pieces.   

Hedge Trimmers:  There are electric and gas-powered hedge trimmers which do a good job on plants like conifers, boxwood, privet, etc.  However, for broadleaf plants like laurel, hedge trimmers tend to damage the foliage too much, so use hand pruners.  It's very easy to over-trim using these tools, so cut lightly at first and go over the hedge a second time if necessary. 

Choosing which power trimmer to use is a personal choice, but there are some things to keep in mind.  Electric trimmers are less expensive, almost maintenance free and very lightweight.  However, keeping the electric cord out of the way is an important safety issue and buying one with a cord that is brightly colored is very helpful.  Hold the cord over your shoulder and be aware of it at all times.  There are cordless trimmers that are powered by a rechargeable battery, and will operate between charges for a finite period of time.  These are ideal for use on small hedges and topiaries that need regular care.  Gas-powered models are more powerful, but they cost more and make a lot more noise.  Single-blade trimmers enable you to cut branches up to an inch in diameter while double-bladed models allow trimming back and forth. 

No matter which tool you use, maintain your pruning tools for long-term use.  If properly cared for, they will give you many years of service, will take less effort to use and will make a cleaner cut.  Regularly lubricate the pivot areas of pruners, clean sticky resin or sap off blades and sharpen blades when necessary.  Wiping blades with a light machine oil after cleaning will prevent rust from forming.  Hedge trimmer blades should be stored in a plastic sheath to prevent damage when not in use.